Fuzz/Overdrive/Distortion?!

[AsphaltMK]

Can someone please enlighten me on the differences between FUZZ (like the fuzz face pedal..), Overdrive (TS-9) and Distortion (think RAT)....

It's not really the tonal difference i'm not really sure of... its the technical differences i guess...
well, just contribute whatever you can, it'll help the other softies who might wanna know as well...

 

[BlackMoo]

Well what I can say is, in terms of gain (more to less) it will be..

Fuzz
Distortion
Overdrive

So that give you some clue to the circuitry within each pedal . Hope that helps.

 

[thor666]

Nowadays these 3 terms are inappropriately used at times, and due to their similar nature, they're often confused. you might try out a fuzz pedal to find that it distorts more than it gives fuzz. bottom line would be to try out each pedal.

i don't think there's a hard and fast rule. But just to show the relative difference, i shall quote popular pedals so that you can spot the difference.

Fuzz - Fuzz Face. (Jimi Hendrix's rhythm playing is usually powered by one.)
Overdrive - Boss Super Overdrive.
Distortion - Boss Turbo Distortion/Boss Metal Zone. There's a wide range of classification for distortion... from Marshall lead tones to Heavy Metal to death core, nu-metal etc.